Education retirees speak out on exclusion

Say they should not be left out of teachers' healthcare premium holiday

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

During the open forum, retired Calvert County public schools teacher Elaine Merski Reilly, retired Calvert County public schools educational support staff employee Grace James and Calvert Education Association President Debbie Russ all spoke out about retired school system employees being excluded from a health insurance premium holiday.

According to a letter from Calvert County public schools Superintendent Jack Smith and Calvert County public schools Board of Education President Eugene Karol, the school system will provide insurance premium holidays for six pay periods between Oct. 30 and Jan. 8 "for all active employees."

According to the letter, this means that whatever employees typically pay in insurance premiums per pay period will not be deducted for six pay periods even though employees will continue to have all benefits.

The letter also said that such a holiday was offered in the spring of 2007 and that the school system uses CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance.

"When I asked [why retirees were excluded], I was told they couldn't find the retirees and that is why we did not get the health insurance premium holidays. That just doesn't make sense because every spring, the board of education sends a letter to each retiree notifying them of their health insurance coverage costs," Merski Reilly said in her address to the board.

"As retired residents of Calvert County, we will continue to support those who share our goals and are working hard for Calvert County public schools. We would appreciate being recognized for our continued effort on your behalf," she said.

James also expressed anger regarding being excluded, calling it, "A sad ‘thank you' for the dedicated service our retirees have provided to the students of Calvert County."

James added that personally after 32 years of working for the Calvert school system, she currently receives a check of $612 a month, which only adds to the need for her to need to be included in the holiday.

She also noted that it was many now-retired employees who helped to elect the current board of education.

"It is time for the board of education to review this unfair decision," James said.

Russ also showed her support toward retired employees, pointing out that that population contributed 22 percent of the money used to fund the premium holiday.

"It is just unfair and sends a bad message … especially during the holiday season when every penny counts," she said.

The board said that it would look into the complaint immediately.

lbuck@somdnews.com